AC unit issue

[Sho]

House and AC unit is approx 18 years old
Just noticed it’s not cooling , changed filter , thermostat was showing battery replacement sign, done
Still not working
AC on, compressor on, no air through vent

Question : over the years we have had issue with the unit , compressor changed 8-9 years ago, few thousands 3-4 K have been spent already over past few years

1: Should we just get a new unit? Tech recommended last year as well ? Looks like that’s the average life of a unit

2: Which brands have reliable AC units

It’s 2000 sq ft house, 2 stories .

Thank you

[acegolfer]

is the blower running?

[HomeStretch]

… Just noticed it’s not cooling , changed filter , thermostat was showing battery replacement sign, done
Still not working
AC on, compressor on, no air through vent …

Compressor unit is running. Is the air handler unit that blows the air running?

Does the thermostat display show that it is “calling” for A/C?

I personally wouldn’t spend much time or $ on an 18-year old malfunctioning system. Consider getting quotes for a replacement from several reputable companies in your area. Your equipment choices may be limited by supply chain issues, if they are still an issue.

[GuyInFL]

is the blower running?

If the air handler blower inside the house isn’t blowing, it’s probably the capacitor and/or the motor. I replaced my capacitor capacitor for about $8 and the the motor died and I replaced it for $225.
If I were doing it again I just replace both at the same time. It was pretty easy. Just watch a few YouTube videos and discharge the capacitor.

[neilpilot]

is the blower running?

If the air handler blower inside the house isn’t blowing, it’s probably the capacitor and/or the motor. I replaced my capacitor capacitor for about $8 and the the motor died and I replaced it for $225.
If I were doing it again I just replace both at the same time. It was pretty easy. Just watch a few YouTube videos and discharge the capacitor.

So the blower doesn’t run. Most units provide a blower AUTO-ON switch, normally kept in AUTO. Switch it to ON, and if the blower runs then you’ve likely eliminated an issue with the blower motor and can focus on a control or wiring issue.

[ncbill]

A unit that old probably has a PSC blower motor, which has its own capacitor, so check that as well if it doesn't run when switched to "on."

And does the fan on the outside compressor run?

~8 years after installation the fan on the outdoor compressor (not its capacitor) failed on my HVAC, fortunately under warranty,

[MGBMartin]

The squirrel cage fan in my previous air handler had a blown fuse once that caused it not to run.
Don’t ask me how I know.

[Sho]

Thank you all

I have no knowledge of the wires, fuse ,capacitor etc
Got appointment for the tech to come in.
Will see the quote
If it is more than few hundred dollars, will likely just get it replaced

Does anyone know about Rheem brand . Is that a reliable brand ?

[hameshatumkochaha]

Please keep us posted. If you are in Phoenix area, I can suggest a good tech if you IM me.

[Sho]

Please keep us posted. If you are in Phoenix area, I can suggest a good tech if you IM me.

Thanks , but not there
Will let you know

[GuyInFL]

Does anyone know about Rheem brand . Is that a reliable brand ?

Lots of articles on HVAC options. Here's one. I don't have any recommendations on brands.
viewtopic.php?t=370149

Here's some more info on the new refrigerant as well.
https://indoortemp.com/resources/puron- ... efrigerant

[jpelder]

Thank you all

I have no knowledge of the wires, fuse ,capacitor etc
Got appointment for the tech to come in.
Will see the quote
If it is more than few hundred dollars, will likely just get it replaced

Does anyone know about Rheem brand . Is that a reliable brand ?

Rheem is a mid-level brand. In HVAC systems, installer skill is at least as important as brand reliability, because each system is as much built on site as it is in the factory. Trane and American Standard are generally seen as the best brands, but a well-installed Rheem or Goodman will outperform a poorly-installed Trane.

[Sho]

Please keep us posted. If you are in Phoenix area, I can suggest a good tech if you IM me.

Update ; after changing filter , it is working
So no tech visits . Will see how long it lasts .

Thanks again everyone
Mentally , I am ready to get it changed . Have kept money for that .

[neilpilot]

Unlikely the filter change had any impact on you issue. Did you observe your A coil when the AC was inop? If refrigerant is low, A coil will often ice over and cooling will stop even though compressor keeps running. After a shutdown during which ice melts off coil, AC will once again work but only till ice reforms.

[dukeblue219]

Mentally , I am ready to get it changed . Have kept money for that .

That's your call, but if you really just bought a new compressor 8 years ago it's worth patching the other items for another decade or so (unless it *really* fails seriously). The compressor is the weak link in most of these systems and yours isn't old.

[Sho]

Unlikely the filter change had any impact on you issue. Did you observe your A coil when the AC was inop? If refrigerant is low, A coil will often ice over and cooling will stop even though compressor keeps running. After a shutdown during which ice melts off coil, AC will once again work but only till ice reforms.

I think you are right . I have no knowledge of these terms .
Have an appointment with tech on Monday .

[jazj]

Please keep us posted. If you are in Phoenix area, I can suggest a good tech if you IM me.

Sorry to hijack this thread, but I would appreciate it if you could share your tech's details.
I tried to IM you but being a newly registered newbie, but long time lurker, I don't have privileges yet!!

Thanks!

[Sho]

So the tech says we should get it replaced
The quotes are so high for a 4 ton single unit from 16 K to 24 K
Only the Rheem quote is less than 10 K, shall we get that
at least would last 10 year warranty period .

[tibbitts]

So the tech says we should get it replaced
The quotes are so high for a 4 ton single unit from 16 K to 24 K
Only the Rheem quote is less than 10 K, shall we get that
at least would last 10 year warranty period .

It would be very unusual to have a warranty other than a compressor-only warranty for 10+ years on a mid-level unit; my Rheem didn't come with full parts and labor for nearly that long.

You can't compare pricing without giving size, SEER ratings and one/two/variable-stage specification.

[Sho]

Labor 2 years warranty
Provide & install (1) Rheem RA14AZ48AJ1NA, 4 ton, new series Seer 2 condensing unit
3. Provide & install (1) Rheem R801T1005A21UHSNAS, 100k btu, 21” single stage, up flow furnace
4. Provide & install (1) Rheem RCFZ4821STANMC 4 ton, upflow cased coil
5. Provide & install (1) filter bas

[Sho]

So the tech says we should get it replaced
The quotes are so high for a 4 ton single unit from 16 K to 24 K
Only the Rheem quote is less than 10 K, shall we get that
at least would last 10 year warranty period .

It would be very unusual to have a warranty other than a compressor-only warranty for 10+ years on a mid-level unit; my Rheem didn't come with full parts and labor for nearly that long.

You can't compare pricing without giving size, SEER ratings and one/two/variable-stage specification.

Just posted part of the quote
Let me ask you this : are you happy with your Rheem? Thanks

[tibbitts]

So the tech says we should get it replaced
The quotes are so high for a 4 ton single unit from 16 K to 24 K
Only the Rheem quote is less than 10 K, shall we get that
at least would last 10 year warranty period .

It would be very unusual to have a warranty other than a compressor-only warranty for 10+ years on a mid-level unit; my Rheem didn't come with full parts and labor for nearly that long.

You can't compare pricing without giving size, SEER ratings and one/two/variable-stage specification.

Just posted part of the quote
Let me ask you this : are you happy with your Rheem? Thanks

Yes, no issues so far, installed early 2016. Just a basic 14SEER single-stage model.

[Sho]

So the tech says we should get it replaced
The quotes are so high for a 4 ton single unit from 16 K to 24 K
Only the Rheem quote is less than 10 K, shall we get that
at least would last 10 year warranty period .

It would be very unusual to have a warranty other than a compressor-only warranty for 10+ years on a mid-level unit; my Rheem didn't come with full parts and labor for nearly that long.

You can't compare pricing without giving size, SEER ratings and one/two/variable-stage specification.

Just posted part of the quote
Let me ask you this : are you happy with your Rheem? Thanks

Yes, no issues so far, installed early 2016. Just a basic 14SEER single-stage model.

Thank you